Chapter 80

Chapter 80

"Claire, are you okay?" Melissa was startled too and rushed over to help me up.

Seeing the clear handprint on my face, she glared at Michael furiously, "How dare you hit someone? What gives you the right? First explain what happened when Claire got sick!"

Accused like this, Michael stood there stunned for a while. He seemed to realize hitting someone was wrong, and a flash of panic crossed his eyes. "I didn't mean to, I'm sorry Claire. I was just too worked up just now."

I didn't believe him. He was just afraid his secret would be exposed.

Before, I was only guessing without evidence, but now I was certain - my illness that year was caused by Michael.

I slapped him back, and before he could react, I said coldly, "Michael, just wait. I will get to the bottom of this."

I turned to leave. Michael reached out to grab me, but I shook him off.

Just then, a figure rushed at me from behind.

With my back turned, I didn't notice. I only heard someone yell "Watch out!" Then Melissa pulled me away. She was pushed hard by someone and rolled down the stairs like a ball, landing motionless on the ground.

When I saw bright red blood flowing from Melissa's head, the air seemed to freeze instantly.

The next second, I snapped back and rushed downstairs like crazy.

"Mom, are you okay?"

Joanna rushed over too. Seeing Melissa lying in a pool of blood, her face changed as she looked at the culprit. "You actually dared to push someone! I'm calling the police to arrest you!"

I looked up with tears streaming down my face at Austin, who stood stiffly at the door.

His face was deathly pale. Like he only realized what he'd done after his anger passed, he stood there frozen.

I couldn't worry about anything else. I said "Just wait, I will pursue this to the end," then with trembling hands took out my phone and called an ambulance.

Heather finally reacted, slapping Austin hard while crying, "What are you doing?"

Michael snapped out of it and ran downstairs. "Let me help you lift her up."

He was about to reach for Melissa.

"Don't touch my mom!" I roared, pushing him away forcefully.

The ambulance came quickly. The paramedics lifted Melissa onto the stretcher. Joanna and I climbed in after her.

Michael wanted to come too, but I refused, shouting angrily, "If you want my mom to die, just keep wasting time here. Your dad's charges will only get more serious!"

Michael finally gave in and got off the ambulance, watching helplessly as it drove away.

The doctor gave Melissa emergency treatment in the ambulance. After she was sent to the emergency room, we waited for four hours.

During that time, the Sinclair family all came, but didn't dare approach Joanna and me.

"Claire, mom will be okay, right?" Joanna sat beside me, her face covered in tears, at a loss.

I shook my head and wiped the tears from her face, saying softly, "Don't cry. Mom hasn't come out yet. We can't fall apart first."

Clayton was still back home. He didn't know what happened here yet, and I didn't dare tell him. I could only pray in my heart that the doctor could save Melissa.

About five hours later, the operating room light finally went out.

The doctor came out, took off his mask and asked, "Who are the patient's family members?"

Joanna and I rushed forward. The Sinclair family also hurried over.

I frowned and asked urgently, "Doctor, is my mom okay?"

The doctor shook his head and said, "Don't worry, the patient has passed the critical period. But she's still unconscious. Whether she'll wake up and if there will be any aftereffects, we don't know yet. We'll have to wait until she wakes up."

Hearing this, my legs went weak. Luckily Joanna reached out to support me.

Heather cried until her face was covered in tears. "Doctor, you must save her. Otherwise my husband will have to go to prison."

The doctor didn't know our specific situation and just said "We'll do our best." After that, Melissa was transferred to the ICU.

Next came dealing with Melissa's situation. I turned to look at the Sinclair family, my eyes full of resentment.

Seeing me glare at them, Heather trembled and regretted it deeply. She wiped her tears and came forward to apologize. "Claire, we'll take full responsibility for your mom's medical expenses. Can you please not call the police?"

Michael also spoke with difficulty, "Right, we'll take full responsibility for the medical expenses. I'll arrange the best doctors for your mom. I definitely won't let anything happen to her."

I glared at him viciously. "I will definitely call the police. This matter can't just end like this."

Michael frowned. "Do you have to be so ruthless?"

Heather also grabbed my arm tightly. "You can't do this. Austin is so old. If he goes to prison now, how will he survive?"

"When he pushed my mom - no, when he tried to push me! If my mom hadn't blocked him, I would be the one lying there! This is attempted murder. Is holding him accountable being ruthless?"

Michael gritted his teeth. "You just want me to leave with nothing in the divorce, right? Fine, I agree. As long as you let my dad go, I can leave with nothing."

Without hesitation, I spat at him, my words carrying a chill. "Your little bit of money can't buy my mom's life. I won't make deals with you either. I will call the police."

With that, I took out my phone. Right in front of them, just as I was about to dial the police, someone snatched my phone away.

Michael glared at me with resentment. "Can't you be flexible? My dad didn't do it on purpose. I already agreed to leave with nothing. What more do you want? Do you have to drive our whole family to death?"

Looking at Michael's cold eyes, I stepped back. "What, are you going to hit me again?"

Michael's eyes carried a warning as he lowered his voice. "If my dad goes to prison, I won't let your family off either. Try me if you don't believe it."

He leaned in very close, those deep eyes flashing with a dark light.

My breath caught. This was clearly a threat.

Seeming to see that I was intimidated, his lips curved slightly. "You still have a dad back home. You don't want anything to happen to your dad, right? Your sister is still so young. I can pay all your mom's expenses. I can also agree to leave with nothing. That's my limit. Claire, don't push people too far. It won't be good for you."

I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth, glaring at him.

Just when I was at a loss, a tall figure appeared in my view.

Matthew looked travel-worn and walked quickly, his eyes full of concern as he looked at me.

Without hesitation, he stood behind me and handed me his phone, his tone cold. "Call the police. Use my phone. Let's see who dares to stop you!"